Richard Scholfield is an accomplished Scottish saxophonist, recognised for his exceptional artistry and praised for his "silken" sound by The Scotsman. Specialising in solo and chamber music, Richard has a talent for engaging audiences through his expressive performances and thoughtful programming, showcasing the saxophone's rich history and innovative possibilities.His dedication to chamber music is evident in his diverse collaborations. As one half of the award-winning Scholfield-Clarke Duo with pianist Iain Clarke, Richard regularly performs across the UK, having played prestigious venues such as Perth Concert Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. Additionally, Richard's unique quintet programs with the Resol String Quartet, which often feature his original arrangements, have brought them to various stages across Scotland, particularly in rural areas.

 

Richard's artistry is featured on two recent album releases. Building Castles, produced by Live Music Now Scotland and Delphian Records (August 2024), includes a new composition by Scottish composer Erin Thomson. He is also featured on Don't Add to Heartache (March 2024), a collaboration with soprano Stephanie Lamprea, composer Tom W Green, and other talented improvisers, with recordings from their live performance at the 2023 Hidden Door Festival in Edinburgh.

 

Beyond performance, Richard is a skilled arranger and transcriber. He was recently commissioned to write an orchestral arrangement of William Grant Still's Romance, which was performed by Metropolitan Opera principal bass trombonist Denson Paul Pollard during the 2023/2024 season. He also delights in the process of re-interpreting historical works through the lens of his own distinctly modern instrument, creating new solo and chamber arrangements that span a wide range of composers, including J.S. Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Amy Beach and Olivier Messiaen. His arrangements are varied, ranging from duos to larger ensemble pieces, as well as choral arrangements for the community choirs he directs.

 

Richard's achievements have earned him numerous accolades. He is a Légère Reeds endorsing artist and a 2020 City Music Foundation artist, and won second prize in the 2024 Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition at Mayfield Festival. In 2023, he received the Arosa Kultur Hans-Schaeuble Award, which led to a recital tour in Switzerland in March 2024. His concerto appearences during the 2023/2024 season included collaborations with composer-conductor Darrell Davison, featuring performances of Davison's triple saxophone concerto The Garden of Earthly Delights in Cambridge, Epsom, Sevenoaks and Croydon. Richard also frequently performs with major Scottish orchestras, including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestra of Scottish Opera.

 

Richard holds a Master of Arts in saxophone performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied under Josef Pacewicz and Arno Bornkamp. His education also includes prestigious courses such as the Arosa Music Academy, London Sinfonietta Academy, and the European University of Saxophone. During his studies, he earned several top prizes, including the Governors' Recital Prize for Woodwind and Chamber Music.

Richard performs on a Selmer Series II Alto Saxophone with a Selmer Supreme neck and a Selmer Mark VI Soprano Saxophone, using Selmer mouthpieces and Légère synthetic reeds across all his instruments.

 

Images: Benjamin Elovega

 

"Légère have created an amazing material which has totally transformed the way I approach the saxophone. Their reeds create a beautiful and complex sound whilst also providing a consistency that you simply can't find with cane. Légère gives me a sense of freedom in my playing, as I have the confidence that when I pick up the instrument I will get the same control and response every time."

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